Report: Saints release Nick Fairley

The Nick Fairley era is over in New Orleans, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The Saints officially cut the veteran Monday with a non-football illness designation. Fairley signed a four-year, $28 million contract, including an $8 million signing bonus, with the Saints last year but then discovered he had a heart condition that prevented him playing and possibly ending his football career.

The Saints have reportedly filed a grievance with the league while Fairley's camp has done the same to see if Fairley has to return any of the signing bonus he received at the time of his signing. According to the report, Fairley was due a $750,000 roster bonus on Tuesday and his $4.25 million base salary would have become guaranteed.